To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, on Wednesday, August 26 the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse joined buildings and landmarks across the country to light up in purple and gold as part of the #ForwardIntoLight initiative.

Gateway Arch National Park has strong ties to the women’s suffrage movement. The Virginia Minor case was held in 1873 at the Old Courthouse at Gateway Arch National Park. After being turned down when attempting to register to vote in St. Louis, Virginia Minor filed suit in the Missouri state courts arguing that by law, the 14th Amendment granted women the right to vote. Although the trial court, Missouri Supreme Court, and United States Supreme Court all ruled against her, Minor’s case generated major attention for women’s suffrage.

Click here to learn more about the Virginia Minor case and find activities, such as a mock trial script, to help children understand the struggle for the right to vote. Junior Ranger booklets on the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, are also available to pick up from the Visitor Center at the Gateway Arch!

Is your daughter a Girl Scout? She can earn a limited-edition commemorative patch in honor of her knowledge of the 19^th Amendment. Click here to get started!